Start by considering what you need to store between shops, and think separately about your fresh and frozen food needs. The number of people in your household alone won’t tell you what capacity is right for you. Next, check the dimensions, door clearance and ventilation requirements for the space, then compare the annual energy consumption, noise levels and maintenance requirements of the models that meet your needs.
If you live alone or are short on space, look for a fresh-food capacity that suits your frequent shopping trips, and check separately whether the freezer compartment meets your needs. Que Choisir Ensemble also recommends considering how often you shop.
If your household regularly uses both compartments, compare their usable capacities separately. Also consider whether you mainly store food that is already frozen or want to freeze fresh food yourself.
If you shop for a week or two at a time, estimate how much food you’ll need to put away after each shop, including how much will be frozen. The capacity you need also depends on the space available in your kitchen, not just the number of people in your household.
Start with the storage need that matters most to you, then make sure the model’s format and features suit your kitchen and the way you’ll use it.
| What to consider | What to check before buying | Who it matters most to |
|---|---|---|
| Space for fresh food | Compare the fridge’s capacity and interior layout with the amount of food you usually store. As a guide, Que Choisir Ensemble suggests 100 to 150 L for one person, then 50 L for each additional person. Adjust this to suit how often you shop. | Between shops, I want enough space for fresh food without choosing an appliance that takes up too much room in my kitchen; around 26% of consumers prioritise fresh-food storage. |
| Freezing capacity | Check the compartment’s capacity, star rating and defrosting method. Check the model’s specifications if you want to freeze fresh food. | If I freeze fresh food or regularly store frozen food, I look first at the freezer’s capacity and features; around 21% of consumers prioritise this. |
| Fit for your kitchen | Measure the appliance and, for a built-in model, check the housing and door-fixing system. Also check the door clearance, access to drawers, ventilation and levelling requirements in the manual. | If the space or installation has limitations, I check every measurement before choosing a format; around 26% of consumers put compatibility first. |
| Running costs and services | Compare annual energy consumption in kWh for appliances that meet the same needs. Check the terms of any optional commercial warranty separately, particularly any exclusions for labour or call-out charges. | If I want to keep the costs of the appliance and its services under control, I compare energy consumption and the cover offered; around 16% of consumers prioritise the total cost. |
| Noise | Compare the stated noise level in dB and the noise class for the exact model. Also check the levelling and installation requirements. | In an open-plan kitchen or studio flat, I pay attention to the stated noise level if the appliance is near my living space; around 11% of consumers make this their main criterion. |
Total capacity adds together spaces that serve different needs. An appliance may seem large enough but still have too little room for fresh or frozen food. Que Choisir Ensemble recommends considering usable capacity and shopping habits.
Note the capacity of the fresh-food and freezer compartments separately, then compare them with the amount of food you have after a shop.
An appliance may fit in its space but still not leave enough room to open the doors properly or access the drawers. A built-in model must also fit the housing and door-fixing system.
Check the manual for the exact model and confirm the dimensions, door clearance, ventilation and fixings before you buy.
Depending on your kitchen layout, you may need to adapt the space or arrange additional installation work.
Liebherr describes SmartFrost as a technology that reduces frost build-up. However, the KTe551 still requires manual defrosting of the freezer.
Check the defrosting details for the exact model rather than relying on a product name alone.
Manual defrosting takes time and means making temporary arrangements for your stored food.
A commercial warranty is optional, and its terms may exclude certain work, such as labour or call-out charges. It is in addition to your statutory rights and does not replace them.
Check the exclusions and what is covered before taking one out, and distinguish it from the statutory guarantees explained by Service Public.
The KTe551 is an example of a table-top fridge with a freezer compartment, suited to a kitchen where available height is a consideration.
The BSSA300M4SN is an example of a built-in, single-door fridge with a freezer compartment, suited to a fitted kitchen where the housing and fixings are compatible.
The HCR3818EWPT is an example of a multi-door configuration with separate spaces for fresh and frozen food.
Bosch Electroménager France’s advice can help you identify the installation checks needed for the models it covers.
The models below include multi-door fridges and fridge freezers designed to help you organise your fresh and frozen food.
Image unavailable
Worth considering if you’re looking for a multi-door model; the product name states a total capacity of 467 L.
The name specifies No Frost, energy class E and dimensions of 83,3 × 65 × 181,5 cm.
Image unavailable
Compare this if you’d like a three-door fridge freezer in one appliance; the product name states a capacity of 360 L.
The name specifies Total No Frost, energy class E, Wi-Fi and My Zone.
Image unavailable
Compare this if you’re looking for a large total capacity; the product name states 444 L.
The name specifies a frost-free system and energy class E.
Image unavailable
Worth considering if you want to divide your storage between two compartments; the product name identifies it as a fridge freezer.
The name specifies 211 L for the fridge and 99 L for the freezer, a width of 60 cm, an inverter compressor and a reversible door.
Image unavailable
Compare this if you’re looking for a fridge freezer; the product name states a total capacity of 355 L.
The name specifies 252 L for the fridge, 103 L for the freezer, a width of 60 cm, an inverter compressor and a reversible door.
No. Its height alone is not enough to confirm that it will fit. Check the model’s manual and ventilation requirements; Bosch Electroménager France distinguishes between appliances designed for under-worktop installation and other configurations.
Yes. The manufacturer confirms this function for the Liebherr KTe551’s 4-star compartment. Check the freezing capacity and instructions for the exact model: the star rating alone does not tell you how much food you can freeze at once.
No. Liebherr describes SmartFrost as a technology that reduces frost build-up, but the KTe551’s specifications state that the freezer needs to be defrosted manually. Bear this maintenance task in mind for this model.
Compare the energy labels and annual consumption in kWh of models that meet similar storage needs. For domestic fridges sold in France, the DGCCRF identifies Delegated Regulation (EU) 2019/2016 as the reference for energy labelling; check the information for the exact model.
No. For purchases from a trader, Service Public states that the legal guarantee of conformity covers relevant faults that appear within two years of the goods being delivered. A commercial warranty is optional and is in addition to your statutory rights; check its exclusions, particularly those relating to labour and call-out charges.